AGE-RELATED SARCOPENIA: AN ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC AND MECHANOMYOGRAPHYIC STUDY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of age-related sarcopenia on muscle mass, relative muscle strength/power performance in the lower limbs, and the responses of electromyography (EMG) and mechanomyography (MMG) on the activation patterns of motor units under leg extension muscle power performance in the elderly. Subjects were healthy old (n=10, 64.5 ± 4.5 yrs) and young (n=10, 22.6 ± 2.8yrs) people. All subjects performed quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and fastest speed leg extension with different levels (75%, 60%, 45% 1RM), and 45% fatigue test to all-outThe results indicate the declines of muscle mass, neuromuscular performance and changes of MU activation patterns may result from age-related sarcopenia, and the age affects muscle power more than muscle strength.